Open Spaces Project an innovative and fascinating experience

Evolution. Creationisim. Space. Masculinity. These are a few of the themes tackled by Vancouver dance troupe MACHiNENOiSY in The Open Spaces Project at the Scotiabank Dance Centre through December 5th.

Entering the performance space void of any seats, the audience was actually forced further into the space with a clever use of the retractable bleachers.  And it was this exploration of the space by the audience and interaction with the dancers that made the show most interesting.

Without seats, the audience is forced to make decisions as to where they view the performance.  As the relatively short performance unfolded (it runs near 60 minutes) I found myself, like others in the audience, becoming bolder as I jockeyed for the best viewing point.  It was nearly as much fun to watch the audience as the dancers moved about the space creating tension as we found ourselves encroaching on the performance space.

Sometimes puzzling, sometimes funny but always fascinating to watch, The Open Spaces Project is an innovative experience that combines some great contemporary dance, spoken word and even a campfire.

MACHiNENOiSY: The Open Spaces Project
Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street
Vancouver 3-5 December 2009 (8pm Dec 3-4; 2pm and 8pm Dec 5)

The relationship between architecture and gender, ideas of freedom and space, and constructs of masculinity inspire The Open Spaces Project, an ambitious and exciting new work created by MACHiNENOiSY Co-Artistic Director Daelik.

Choreographed for a cast of six men - Clinton Draper, Alex Ferguson, Shay Kuebler, Brett Owen, Chris Wright and Daelik himself - the work is an international collaboration with set design and dramaturgy by the innovative Berlin-based Australian artist Paul Gazzola, and sound and video by Calgary’s Adam Tindale.

The audience moves around the space to experience multiple layers of movement, sound and visuals in an intense and illuminating performance which explores wide-ranging concepts of people and the spaces we inhabit.

Tickets are $26/$18; matinee tickets all $15 available online at Tickets Tonight or by calling 604 684 2787.

For more information visit http://www.machinenoisy.com or http://www.thedancecentre.ca